The Kuopio Academy of Design Foundation started its operations in December 2014. The purpose of the foundation is to support and promote the professional activities, knowledge, appreciation and development of culture, especially design, art and crafts.
The application period for grants is in the fall each year.
The Chairman of the Board is Risto Pitkänen Bank Manager, Professional Member of the Board, and the Vice Chairman is Merja Heiskanen, Museum Director. The members of the board are Mikko Pessi, CEO, Marita Porrassalmi, Master Craftsman, Essi Sundman, CEO. Deputy members of the board are Jenni Linnove, Ceramic Entrepreneur, Kristiina Lybeck, Finance Professional and Paula Qvick, Design Director.
More information:
The Kuopio Academy of Design Foundation proxy
Eija Tanninen-Komulainen
+358 44 731 8000
saatio@muotoiluakatemia.fi
The Kuopio Design Academy Foundation has once again made a significant contribution to Finnish design field as well as the crafts and applied arts sector. A total of €50,000 in grants for 2025 was awarded to five companies and designers representing the forefront of domestic creativity and expertise.
The 2025 grant recipients are:
A total of 75 applications were submitted by the deadline. The selections were made by the Foundation’s task force and the Board.
The 2025 funded projects highlight product development, internationalization, sustainability, and craftsmanship—themes that are more relevant than ever.
Feuerbacher (Tulipuro), Tobias Feuerbacher
10,000 € for export promotion of the Birch Forest furniture collection and participation in the Interior Lifestyle Tokyo 2026 fair.
"Birch bark is a traditional Finnish material that I want to bring into contemporary design. The Birch Forest collection is based on timeless and minimalist design, where natural materials and craftsmanship remain at the core of the products. It is exciting to take this tradition to international markets."
Jokinen & Konu Design Ltd – Jukka Jokinen and Heikki Konu
10,000 € for the development of low-carbon public space furniture made from 3D-printed concrete.
"Our project demonstrates how design expertise and new sustainable production technologies can be combined to create beautiful and necessary products. 3D printing enables flexible and ecological production without surplus material—this is a step toward more sustainable public space construction."
Kaiku Acoustics Ltd – Markus Laukkanen
10,000 € for the design of headphone accessories.
"We aim to bring to market a new kind of Finnish premium accessory line that combines Nordic design, durable materials, and universality. Our goal is to support domestic design and manufacturing expertise and strengthen the position of the creative industries in Finland."
Santeri Mortti
10,000 € for the design of a new wooden furniture collection for international markets.
"The importance and value of craftsmanship are increasingly emphasized in today’s world. I want to dedicate the spring to producing a furniture collection and take physical samples abroad. I believe this is the optimal time to invest in distinctive craftsmanship and custom-made furniture—the world is becoming more digital, but the value of handmade work continues to grow."
Milla Vaahtera
10,000 € for the industrial production development of a lighting piece designed for the extension of the Finnish National Museum.
"During the productization phase, we create a scalable product where craftsmanship remains present even at a larger scale, while also strengthening Finland’s glassmaking community by generating consistent demand for studio workshops. The aim is to make art craftsmanship meaningful and profitable again. The design language of the lighting draws from Finnish nature, and each piece is unique. We want this to become a symbol of a new era in art craftsmanship and a step forward in Finnish glass expertise."
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